Description
This Spinach Stuffed Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, Parmesan, mayonnaise, and fresh spinach, seasoned to perfection and baked to a juicy finish. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for a wholesome family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Stuffing
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Carefully slice a pocket into the side of each chicken breast without cutting all the way through, creating space for the filling.
- Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, chopped fresh spinach, onion powder, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Stuff the Chicken: Spoon the spinach and cheese mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast. Secure the opening with toothpicks if necessary to keep the filling inside during baking.
- Bake: Place the stuffed chicken breasts into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) indicating it is fully cooked.
- Rest & Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes; this helps the juices redistribute, ensuring moist and flavorful chicken. Remove toothpicks before serving and enjoy your spinach stuffed chicken!
Notes
- Ensure the chicken breasts are evenly sliced to create a good pocket for stuffing without cutting through completely.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach, but be sure to thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before mixing.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your spice preference or omit for a milder flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness and avoid overcooking the chicken.
- Leftover stuffed chicken can be refrigerated and reheated gently to maintain moisture.
